Haggai 2:10-23

Two months later (than the previous message) Haggai again spoke the word of the Lord to His people in two messages.  Again, we find special encouragement in the work of ministry to which we are called today (Eph. 4:12).  

The third message (2:10-19) confirms God’s promises to Israel under the Mosaic Covenant.  The Law said if Israel obeyed they and their land would be blessed; if they disobeyed they and their land would be cursed (Deut. 28).  Haggai had pointed out how the disobedience of Israel had resulted in drought (1:3-15).  Now, as the people walked in obedience, he tells them God will keep His word and the land will be blessed.  The illustration in 2:11-14 bears this out.  Our unholiness permeates everything we touch.  But holiness is a matter of the heart; it is not caught from the outside.  Thus we can say that the encouragement in this message is to continue in obedience; that is the place of true blessing.

Later that day Haggai preached his fourth message (2:20-23).  It is the shortest but it is another powerful prophecy.  It is addressed to governor Zerubbabel.  It is put in a similar historical context as the Messianic prophecy in the second message, that future time of the shaking of creation.  

What is significant is that Zerubbabel is singled out by God as being like a signet ring.  This ring was worn by deputies who represented a king.  Mordechai wore one under Ahasuerus (Esther 8:8-17).  God had taken His signet ring from Coniah (Jer. 22:24) bringing an end to the Davidic line through Solomon.  Instead He now gave it to Zerubbabel, who was in the Davidic line.  Thus God maintains His faithfulness to David.  In the New Testament Zerubbabel’s name is in both genealogies of the Lord Jesus (Matt. 1:12 and Luke 3:27).  

What an encouragement to Zerubbabel and to us.  God’s power/authority is invested in those who serve Him faithfully.  His authority rested in the risen Christ who then commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:16-20).  This is the command that tells us about the spiritual temple Jesus is building and the ministry that we have today.  Let us serve faithfully!